Paumchariu Part 1

SR No.: 002523
Original Sutra Author: Swayambhudev
Author: H C Bhayani
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown
Publication Year: 1953
Total Pages: 458
Language: Sanskrit, English
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Literature
File Size: 11 MB

Page 142

INTRODUCTION
101
Situation of the Bharata country in the cosmography--Successive births of the fourteen Kulakaras (11). Their names-Marudevi, the consort of the last Kulakara Nābhi, described (12-13). The six goddesses Kirti, Buddhi, Śrī, Hrī, Dhști, and Lakşmi approached Marudevi in human form and rendered services to her -Marudevī saw a series of fourteen dreams-riches were showered from heavens for thirty fortnights (14). The feteen dreams described-Marudevi conveyed these to her husband (15). He interpreted them as prognosticating the birth of a son destined to be a Tirthankara. In due course Rşabhadeva was born (16).
II Sandhi. . Rşa bha's life-story-upto practising
penances. The birth of the Jina was solemnised by the four classes of gods—Indra's throne shook and hence he started forth on the Airāvana elephant (1). Kubera decorated the city of Saketa—Indra's queen with the help of the sleep-inducing charm substituted a magic child for Rşabha, who was made over to Indra (2). He took the child to Mount Mandara beyond the regions of constellations and seated him on a throne placed on a white slab (3). At the commencement of the ablution ceremony various gods honoured Rşabha by displaying their skill in music, dance, drama, etc. (4). Various gods emptied water-jars over Rşabha's head and his ceremonial bath was completed (5). Indra then adorned him with a variety of ornaments. A devotional hymn followed (6). Indra injected nectar in Rşabha's left thumb. The child was taken back to Ayodhyā. He was named Rşabha.
He grew up rapidly (7). Once his subjects complained to him of being deprived of the means of subsistence because the Kalpavşkşas disappeared. Consequently he taught them various professions and arts. He got married to Nandā, Sunanda and others. He begot one hundred sons. Bharata and Bahubali were chief among them (8). Seeing Rşabha immersed in wordly pleasures, Indra, with a view to awaken love of renunciation which would be beneficial for the flourish and spread of Dharma sent Nilāñjanā with her span of life nearing its end, to dance before Rsabha. While dancing, she fell dead (9). Seeing Nilāñjana become suddenly lifeless, Rşabha was struck with the ephemeral nature of the mundane glory and he resolved to renounce the world. The Lokān. tika gods also exhorted him to that end, since the rebirth of religious beliefs and practices that had fallen into abeyance was eagerly awaited (10). Bharata was installed on the throne and Rşabha went to Prayāga, where together with four thousand kings he took to the Order.
He practised all sorts of austerities (11). The other kings with him unable to endure the rigours of austerities violated their vows (12). The Heavenly Voice remonstrated with them for their unceoming conduct. But lacking fortitude for practising mortifications, they gave up austerities and founded new faiths. At this juncture there arrived Nami and Vinami, sons of Kaccha and Mahakaccha (13). They asked from Rşabha their share in the kingdom. Coming to know of this disturbance to Rşabha, Dharanendra appeared there. He questioned Nami and Vinami (14). They said 'when we were abroad, the kingdom was portioned off between all the sons of